Just days after its big launch, Google has started sending out Android 16 Beta 3.1 to Pixel phones and tablets. This update tackles some annoying problems that were messing with everyday use.
The update, labeled BP22.250221.013, comes with the March 2025 security fix. It works on tons of Pixel models, like the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold.

It fixes a bug that made the Settings app crash over and over when the phone wasn’t set to English. Another fix stops the screen brightness from jumping between app settings and the phone’s auto or manual settings. It also solves a battery-draining issue caused by the processor working too hard and stops memory leaks that slow things down. On a Pixel 9, the update is a tiny 6.70 MB download.

If your device is in the Android Beta for Pixel program, you’ll get this update wirelessly. Meanwhile, the Wear OS 5.1 update is now rolling out to LTE versions of the Pixel Watch 3 and 2, plus the first Pixel Watch. Two weeks back, it hit a third of devices, but now it’s ready for more. Before this, only the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Pixel Watch 2 and 3 had it. Built on Android 15, this update also reaches LTE models and the older Pixel Watch.

For the watches, the update codes are BP1A.250305.019.W2 for the Pixel Watch 1 and BP1A.250305.019.W3 for the 2 and 3. The delay might be because of carrier checks, and the first watch uses an older chip. Wear OS 5.1 brings easier logins with passwords or services like Google Sign-In.

Apps can now play music through the watch speaker. Google swapped the yellow accent color for gray in some spots and added a simpler Settings > Modes menu. There’s also a new option for developers to keep the clock clear when the wrist is down. Other perks, like better health tracking and YouTube Music controls, are coming through app updates.

Wear OS 5.1 is here for the Pixel Watch, and it includes a cool new feature for developers called “Force Global Always-On Display (AOD).” Most apps on Wear OS still don’t work with the always-on screen, but this update changes things a bit.

Since Wear OS 3, only a few apps—like Google Maps for directions, Keep for notes, and Spotify for music—stay active when the screen is always on. For most other apps, when you lower your wrist, the screen blurs and just shows the time. Now, with Wear OS 5.1, this new developer option keeps your last app screen visible even when your wrist is down. The display dims and the text looks chunkier, but it stays usable—similar to how your watch face works.

For example, if you’re using the Stopwatch, it keeps counting instead of switching to a blurry clock. This is different from the usual setup, where the screen hides the app. To turn this on, go to Settings > System > About > Versions, and tap “Build number” a few times. After entering your PIN, you’ll see “Developer options” at the bottom of the Settings menu. Scroll to the end, and you’ll find “Force Global AOD Experience.” This works on the Pixel Watch 2 and likely the Pixel Watch 3, too.

There’s a catch—leaving this on might drain your battery faster, so think about that before using it. It’s not clear if this will ever be a regular feature for everyone. A smarter fix would be for app makers to update their apps to support always-on screens. Google could lead the way by fixing their own apps first.
This update makes the Pixel Watch more fun to use, but it’s up to you if the battery trade-off is worth it!

Google has introduced a new safety feature for the Pixel Watch, making it easier and safer to use Emergency SOS. Before this update, you could start an emergency call by pressing the watch’s crown five times. After a 5-second countdown, the call would go through, accompanied by an alarm sound to confirm the action.

With the latest update, pressing the crown five times brings up a new screen. This screen now asks you to “hold your finger on the screen for 3 seconds” to make the call. This screen will disappear after 20 seconds if no action is taken, to avoid accidentally making emergency calls.

The default setting has changed to “Touch & hold to call,” but you can still choose “Automatically call” if you prefer. You can switch these settings in the Personal Safety app or under Safety & emergency in the watch’s Settings menu, in a new section called “Ways to start SOS.”

This update comes with version 2025.01.23.x of Personal Safety for Wear OS, which you can update through the Google Play Store. After updating, you’ll get a notification on your Pixel Watch about the “Emergency SOS update.”

The idea behind this change seems to be reducing the number of accidental emergency calls. Remember, if you accidentally call emergency services, do not hang up. Instead, explain to the operator that it was a mistake and that you don’t need help.